Cops: Three motorcycle-related deaths during Bike Week; less than half last year's total

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DAYTONA BEACH -- There were three-motorcycle-related deaths during Bike Week 2011, which ended today.

There were seven biker-related deaths last year. Still, the 10 fatalities collectively from the last two Bike week pale in comparison to the carnage of 2006, when there were 19 deaths.

Rene Jean Brunet Jr., a 63-year-old biker from the Florida community of Weeki Wachee, was killed just after noon Friday when his Harley-Davidson was struck by a garbage truck at the intersection of North Nova Road and U.S. 1, Ormond Beach police said.

Brunet was turning north onto U.S. at the same a Waste Management collection truck being driven by 42-year-old Edward Cortez of Deltona Florida was heading north on U.S. 1 in the right hand through lane. Brunet rode across the turn lane and into the through lane as he attempted his left turn.

The right side handlebar of Brunet’s Harley struck the left rear of the truck resulting in Brunet being thrown from his bike, police said. Brunet, who was wearing a helmet, was rushed to Florida Hospital Ormond Memorial where he died a short time later. Cortez was not injured in the crash, which remains under investigation.

Brunet's fatal crash was the second Friday. At 12:05 a.m. Friday, 42-year-old Douglas Boyle of Pennsylvania, was killed when his motorcycle crashed into a pole near rural Astor, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. He was not wearing a helmet, the FHP said.

On Thursday night, an unidentified pedestrian was struck and killed by a motorcycle while trying to get across Ridgewood Avenue in Port Orange, police there said.